The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-16
NOTES ABOUT PEOPLE.


Lord Beaconsfield did not care for
other novelists. "Here," said he on one
occasion, pointing to an edition delure of
"Romola, " sis gift from my gracious SOW
ereign, and am ashamed to confess that
1 cannot read it," Mr.. Gladstone's tastes
are more catholic. He finds the reading
of david Copper6eld" a holiday task.
But he is, perhaps, more charmed by
works which have touch of old-world
romance, like Mr.. Shorthouse's "John
Inglesant."
1t is said in favor of early rising
that Harriet Martineau took four mile
constitutional before breakfast, after
which she sat down to work until two.
At that hour she dined and did no more
work for the day. Maria Edgeworth also
rivaled the proverbial lark, and took her
walks abroad with great regularity.
Ouida rises at five o'clock every morning
and writes for three OF four hours before
breakfast. She writes in "sort of liter
airy trance" and with great rapidity.
The origin OF the name of "Blue
Stocking" is both ancient and honorable.
In 14O0 society Of kterati was formed
in Venice The members of the origin
al society wore, as badge Of member
ship, blue stockings, and when branch
of the order was formed in Paris, in 1890,
the custom Of wearing the badge was car
ried thither. and from thence to England,
where it was started by the brilliant Mrs.
Montague in $780, The last member
died in the person Of Miss Monckton,
in 1910, and literally the "Blue Stock
ings" are no more.
This year being the tercentenary
of the execution OF Mary Queen OF Scots,
it is proposed to hold at Peterborough
an historical exhibition of portraits, rings,
missals, and all objects of interest con-
nected with the unfortunate Queen. The
exhibition will be opened July ID and clos
ed August 8, SO as to include the date of
Queen Mary's burial in Peterborough
Cathedral. Queen Victoria has given
her patronage to the undertaking, and
the Dean of Peterborough is the presi-
dent of an influential committee Ly
whom the exhibition will be managed.
DR.. Hitchcock was the John Wy
cliffe of the Congregational church. DR..
Hopkins was the Thomas Arnold of
America. OF these two characters, Mark
Hopkins was the more familiar to the
country. His name was identified with
Williams College, without interruption
during fitty-six years OF continuous serv-
ice, while DR.. Hitchcock was professor
of church history in the Union Theolog-
ical Seminary since 1855. Congregation
alism has lost its Nestor in Hopkins.
Presbyterianism has lost its ablest teach
or and preacher in Hitchcock. To the
collective body Of churches called evan
gelical the strength OF these men was
great defense, just as the life of each was
shining example Of the reality of relig-
ion.-Brooklym Eagle.
"A number Of retired ship captains
are living on the slopes of Howell Mount
ain, in Napa county, California, where
they cultivate the vine, and watch the
sea -fogs come drifting in over the peaks
of the coast range, as Robert Louis
Stevenson used to do when he gathered
the material for The SilUerdale Squatters.
One of them, Captain Norris, owns large
wheat range and vineyard in Fresno
county. Near Sonoma are grouped a
number Of Apglo-Indian army officers,
who are engaged in vine-growing. The
most prominent of these is Captain J. Fl
Drummond, of Glen Ellen, who has i'm
ported and tested the adaptability to Cal
ifornia soil of many of the finest grapes
of France.